Raisin weighing and packing machine.



(Application filed May 1, 1900,)

5 Shanta-Shoet I.

(No l'gdol.)

" ///////////////A mm- No. 669,609. Patented Mar. I2, l90l.

v D. J. WILSON. RAISIN WEIGHING AND PACKING MACHINE.

(Application filed May 1, 1900."

5 Sheets-Shoat 2.

(No Model.)

THE Nonms PETERS co, worm mm" WASHINGTON, n. c

Patented Mar. |2-, l90l. D. J. WILSON. BAISIN WEIGHING AND PACKING MACHINE.

(Applicntion filed May 1. 1900,\

5 Shoots-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

No. 669,609. Patented mar. 1'2, 190:. n. J. WILSON.

RAISIN WEIGHING AND PACKING MACHINE.

(Application fifedllay 1, 1900.\

(No Ilodal.)

} lvwemtoz .DJ W 12 /14 2 7 am nmu No. 669,609. Patented Mar. 12, l90l.

D. J. WILSON.

BMSIN WEIGHING AND PACKING MACHINE.

(Applicltion filed May 1, 1900. (No Iodal.) 5 8hoata8heet 5.

VVl lsom u. momma. wasnmofon. u. c.

w: Norms versus :2

UNITED STATns PATENT Orricn.

DAVID J. WILSON, OF WVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO THOMAS J. SHEA, OF SAME PLACE.

RAISIN WElGHiNG AND PACKiNG MACHINE.

i-PECI'FXCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 669,609, dated March 12, 1901.

Application filed May 1, 1900- To ttZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that 1, DAVID J. WILSON, acitizen of the United States, residing in the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Raisin I/Veighing and Packing Machine, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to packing-machines, and more particularly to a machine for weighing and packing raisins; and it has for its object to produce a device of this kind which will automatically weigh the raisins, pack them in a suitable package or carton, and deliver the same ready to be closed and packed for the market.

With these objects in view my invention consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement of parts of an automatic weighing and packing machine, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference-nun'ierals indicate corresponding parts in each of the views in which they occur, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved weighing and packing machine. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same. Fig. 3 is a broken perspective view of the front of the machine to more clearly illustrate the construction and operation of some of the main parts. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the hopper and the mechanism connected therewith. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal detail view of the same. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the clutch mechanism. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the mechanism for operating the clutch. Fig. Sis a perspec tive view of the weighing mechanism. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 10 is a diagramn'iatic view of the electrical apparatus. Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the packing mechanism, the parts being shown in two positions. Figs. 12 and 13 are vertical sectional views taken through the upper end of the spout or chute leading to the packing mechanism, taken at right angles to each other. Fig. 1a is a perspective view of the lower end of the chute. Fig. 15 is a detail View showing one means for opening the receptacle for the package in order to deliver the package to the conveyer. Fig. 16 is a plan view of the couveyer. Fig. 17 is a broken longitudinal sectional view of a portion of Serial No. 15,081. \lio model.)

one of the plunger-s, and Fig. 18 is a detail showing the method of stopping the traveling platform.

In taking raisins orsimilar material in bulk and automatically weighing and packing the same it is necessary that it be delivered to the weighing mechanism in such quantities as to permit of the operation of the scale as quickly after the desired quantity has been introduced as possible, and thereby avoid overweight, which would amount to a very considerable where a large quantity of material was being handled. It is also necessary that the machine be provided with mechanism which will prevent the liability of the material sticking within the chute, where it would become objectionable in many ways and would eventually interfere with the operation of the machine. It is also desirable that afterthe material has been placed within the packages the packages be delivered at some convenient point, where they may be taken by an assistant and quickly prepared for the market. In my improved automatic weigher and packing-machine I have accomplished these objects in such a manner that the material may be fed to the machine in bulk and he delivered therefrom in a rapid and inexpensive manner.

In constructing my machine I provide a frame 1 of any suitable size and construction, at the upper end of which Iprovide a hopper 2 or other receptacle, into which the material can be fed in any suitable manner-as, for instance, by an attendant standing upon the platform 3. The mouth or lower end of the hopper communicates with any suitable number of conveyors at, four being shown in the drawings, which deliver the material to corresponding receptacles 5. Each of the conveyers 4: preferably consists of an endless belt 6, upon which are arranged at suitable distancesaparttransverseslats7. The width of the belt and the distance between the slats are preferably made to hold a very small quantity of material, preferably about three raisins, so that as the belt moves forward the amount of material delivered to the receptacle from each pocket will be small, thus permitting of the actionol the weighing-machine as soon as the desired quantity has been delivered to the receptacle, and thereby avoid the possibility of overweight in the amount of material being delivered to the different packages. The belts travel over pulleys S, the end ones of which are secured upon shafts 9, while the intermediate one runs loosely upon its stud or bearing.

A suitable brush or cleaner 10 is located adjacent to the conveyer in position to sweep back any excessive amount of material which may be clinging to the slats 7 and is driven from one of the shafts 9 by means of a belt 11. The conveyors are preferably housed within suitable casings 12, the lower end of each of which is provided with a door 13, by means of which access may be had thereto for the purpose of cleaning or repairing the parts.

From the conveyers the material passes into the receptacles 5, each of which is preferably formed in the shape of a triangular hopper, the lower point of which is pivotally secured at one end of a platform 14 and is held in its vertical position by means of a pivoted catch 15, which engages with a shoulder 1b on its side-as, for instance, a pin. The catch is pivot-ally secured at one side to a standard 17, projecting upwardly from the platform, and is normally held in its operative position by a spring 18, a pin 19 upon the standard limiting the movement of the catch in one direction and a pin 20 upon the receptacle limiting its movement in the other direction. The pivotal point of the receptacle is so arranged that as soon as the receptacle has been released from the catch the weight of the material therein will instantly swing it upon its pivot and cause it to deliver its contents into the upper end of a chute 21.

The platform is provided with a suitable counterbalance to normally hold the end provided with the receptacle in an elevated position until the desired amount of material has been delivered thereto when the weight of the counterbalance will be overcome and the platform tilted upon its pivot 22. I prefer to construct the counterbalance in the form of a notched beam 23, upon which is movably suspended a weight 24.

As soon as the proper amount of material has been delivered to the receptacle it is necessary that the conveyer be stopped, so as to prevent the entrance of more material. Any suitable mechanism may be provided for this purpose; but I prefer to provide the drivingpulleys 8 upon one of the shafts 9 with a suitable clutch mechanism 25, which is adapted to be moved back and forth by a lever 26. This lever is preferably formed from or provided with a piece of metal which acts as an armature for the magnets 27, which form a part of an electric circuit 28, said circuit being formed or connected with any suitable source of electrical energy. The two terminals 29 of the circuit are located adjacent to the forward end of the platform 14 and are adapted to be closed by means of a suitable closer or contact-point 30, which is secured to the platform and is adapted to be moved between the terminals whenever the platform is rocked upon its pivot. When arranged in this manner, it is evident that as soon as the desired amount of material has been deposited in the receptacle the platform is tilted and the circuit closed, which will instantly cause its magnets to draw the free end of the clutch-lever over sufficiently to disconnect the clutch and stop the operation of the conveyer. A suitable spring 31 may be secured to the lever for returning it to its normal position as soon as the circuit has been broken by the reverse movement of the platform.

As soon as the receptacle 5 is released it swings upon its pivot until its rear edge strikes the top of the front wall of the chute 21 and discharges its contents thereinto. To prevent the material from sticking to the walls of the chute, the rear wall is inclined and is formed from or provided with. an endless belt 32, which runs over rollers 53 at the top and bottom. The top of the chute, and with it the belt 82, is wide enough to extend entirely across at the rear of all of the receptacles, so that the receptacles have one common chute or dischargeoutlet. The sides of the chute directly below the belt 32 are each formed or provided with an endless belt 31-, which runs over rollers 35 at the top and bottom. The rollers are driven by means of a belt 36, which passes over a pulley 37 on the shaft of the brush 10 and over a pulley 38 on the roller 33. The roller is provided with two other pulleys 39, from which belts 4-0 run to pulleys 411 on the end of the rollers 35, thereby transmitting constant motion from the constantlymoving brush-shaft. The receptacles are arranged to be tripped in succession by means of arms or cams #12 on the shaft 43, journaled at the front part of the machine. lVith four receptacles, as shown in the drawings, these arms are arranged spirally upon the shaft at just one-quarter of a revolution from each other. The feeder or conveyer is so adjusted as to always fill the receptacle before the shaft 43 makes a complete revolution, so that when the receptacle is released it will always contain the exact amount of material to be deposited in one of the packages. The arms are arranged to pass at one side of the receptacles, so as to engage with the spring-actuated end of the catch 15 and depress it sufficiently to disengage its hooked end from the shoulder on the side of the receptacle, and thereby let the receptacle turn upon its pivot and discharge its contents. The continual revolution of the shaft will cause the same arm to engage with the inner end of a lever 14:, which is pivotally secured to the standard 17 below the catch. The outer end of the lever 4 1 is slotted longitudinally, through which passes a pin 415 upon the side of the receptacle and by means of which the receptacle is swung back into its receptive position by the depression or downward movement of the inner end of ceases the lever when the advancing arm 42 engages therewith. As soon as the receptacle has deposited its contents in the chute the platform swings upon its pivots, and thereby breaks the circuit and permits the spring 31 to withdraw the free end of the clutchdever from the magnets and throw the conveyers into operation. To prevent the loss of the material, the receptacle must be quickly restored to its normal position, which is accomplished by the mechanism above described.

Pivotally secured to the lower end of the chute 21 is a door L6, which normally stands across the inclined lower end of the chute and closes the same against the escape of material until after a package or receptacle therefor has been put in position. The package for the material is easily slipped over the lower end of the chute by the attendant and is made of substantially the same area in cross-section as the area of the chute and of sufficient length to' contain the material to be placed therein. The door 4:6 is provided with an extension 47, that normally extends out from the chute at an angle, so that when the package is slipped upon the lower end of the chute the extension will be swung in toward the side of the chute, which will swing the door down into a vertical plane in a line with that side of the chute, and thereby open the chute for the passage of the material into the package.

As soon as the contents of any one of the receptacles on the scale has been emptied in the chute a plunger 48 is caused to enter the upper end of the chute at the lower end of the inclined belts, at the sides of the upper end thereof, and force the material downward. The plunger moves vertically in a suitable guideway 4:9 at the top of the machine and is moved up and down by means of a lever 50, the rear or longer end of which is connected with the plunger by means of a link 51 and the forward or shorter end is connected with a crank 52 on a shaft 53 by means of a pitlnau 5a. In this manner sufficient movement is secured for the plunger to lift its head 55 above the entrance to the chute, so as not to interfere with the material being deposited therein, and at the same time to pass down far enough to expel the material from the chute and pack it firmly within the package.

Arranged below the chute is a traveling platform or table 56, which is provided with a series of forwardly-movin packageholders 57, the front wall of whicn is preferably hinged, as shown at 58, and the rear wall is perforated, as shown at 59. The center of the table is located to one side of the chute, so as to cause the package-holders to pass in succession underneath the chute for the reception of the package, with its contents, with the descent of the plunger. The packageholders are movable vertically, and each of them is preferably provided with a stem (50, which passes down through the table and through a perforated projection or stirrup 61. The table is rotated intermittentlyby means of a ratchet bevel-wheel 62, which engages with a bevel-wheel 33 at the outer edge of the platform. A swinging arm Gl is pivotally secured to the shaft of the wheel 62 and has its outer end provided with a pawl 65, which is adapted to engage with the shoulders or ratchet-teeth of the wheel 62 and drive the Wheel and table forward. A spring 66 engages with the free end of the pawl and normally holds it in engagement with the surface of the ratchet, so as to prevent the possibility of the pawl not engaging with the shoulders of the wheel. The arm 64 is swung upon its pivot by means of a pitman 67, which is connected at its upper end to the lower end of a reciprocating rod 68, which moves vertically in suitable bearings 69 on the front part of the machine. The upper end of the rod is preferably connected with a pivotally-secured arm 70, which is engaged by a two-arm ed cam 71 on the shaft 58. A spring 72 moves the rod upward after it has been forced downward by one of the arms of the cam. By providing the shaft 53 with the two-armed cam the table 56 is caused to move forward twice for every reciprocation of the plunger, thereby giving the assistant plenty of time to place a new package on the end of the spout after the plunger has descended and before the package-holder is brought into register therewith.

The package-holders are moved vertically by means of a lever 73, which is pivotally secured at the front of the machine and has its long or rear end slotted longitudinally, as shown at 7%, for the entrance of a pin 75 on the lower end of the stem (50. As soon as the rotation of the table brings the package-holder into alinement with the chute the pin 75 enters the slot 74 and the lever 70 is rocked upon its pivot by means of a rod 7b, which is pivotally connectedwith its shorter or forward end and with an arm 77 upon a shaft 78, journalcd transversely across the front of the machine. The shaft 78 is rocked back and forth by means of a rod 79, which is connected at one end with an arm 80 on the shaft and at its other end with an arm 81, which is pivotally secured to the frame in position to be engaged by a substantially fan-shaped cam 82 on the shaft 53. A spring 83 engages with arm 80 and with a bracket Sl upon the frame and returns the shaft and the rods to thei r normal position after they have been depressed by the cam 82.

A reciprocating plunger 85 is secured intermediatc its ends within a suitable hearing or bracket 86 and has its inner end slotted, as shown at 87, so to iit over the upper end of the shaft on the table 56 and rest upon a collar 88 upon the shaft. The outer end of the plunger is connected with the slotted end of an arm Sf), which is secured to the shaft 78, and the inner end is curved downward and provided with a head or pusher 90, which is adapted to be passed through the opening 59 in the package-carrier. By arranging the plunger at right angles to the holder being filled and properly arranging the cams and levers a filled package may be forced from its holder at the same time that an empty package is being filled, thereby avoiding the necessity of stopping the travel of the table unnecessarily. A suitable catch 91 may be arranged to engage with recesses upon the under side of the table and held the table against accidental movement while the plungers are operating, thereby avoiding the danger of breaking any of the parts.

After the package has been filled the forward movement of the table will cause the pin to pass out of the slot 74:, which will permit the package-holder and its contents to descend into position for the expulsion of the contents by the plunger 85. Before the package can be expelled it is necessary to open the hinged door 58, which may be accomplished by curving its free edge outward, as shown at 92, which is caused to engage with the projecting end of the conveyor-frame 93. In this manner by the time the package-holder comes into register with the conveyor-belt 9a the door is swung open and the plunger forces the package out of the holder and onto the conveyor, from whence it is taken by the attendant and folded at the top and properly prepared for market. The conveyor-belt 94: is driven by means of a belt 95, which passes over a pulley 96 upon the shaft of the brush 10 and over a pulley 97, journaled in the conveyer-frame 93. A belt 98 runs over a pulley 99 at the opposite ends of the conveyerframe and transmits motion to the outer roller of the conveyor.

In using my machine as above described power is transmitted to the mechanism from any suitable source to the shaft 53 through the wheel 100. Power is conveyed therefrom to the shaft as by means of the gear-wheels 101 and 102 and from there to the shaft 9 through the gear-wheel 103. lhe material is fed to the hopper, and from there it is delivered to the receptacles upon the scale-platform and from thence passed into the chute and the package prepared for it at the bot tom of the chute. One attendant places the packages upon the lower end of the chute and another one removes the filled packages from the conveyer, thereby enabling the bulk material to be correctly weighed and securely packed with the assistance of three attendants. The amount of material to be deposited in each package is determined by the location of the coi'interbalance upon the scale-platform, which can be set to operate the feeding mechanism when any predetermined amount of materialas, for instance, one pound-has been delivered to the receptacle. By varying the position of the weight upon the scalebeam a greater or less quantity can be fed to the receptacles and from thence delivered to the packages, as may be desired.

ceases Although I have shown the machine provided with only four conveyors and receptacles, it is evident that any desired number may be employed, thereby increasing the capacity of the machine without requiring the employment of additional help to care for it. With the machine constructed and operated as above described it is evident that the cost of packing bulk material can be reduced to a minimum, thereby adding but little to the cost of material from its bulk to its retail condition.

Although I have shown what I consider the most desirable form of constructing my machine, yet I reserve the right to make such changes and alterations therein as will come within the scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a packing-machine, the combination, with a hopper provided with a series of feeders each feeder comprising an independent series of forwardly-movable pockets,of a scalecontrolled receptacle for each feeder, means for automatically stopping the movement of the feeder by the action of the scale, a chute common to all of said receptacles, and means for successively delivering the contents of the different receptacles to said chute, substantially as described.

2. In a packing-machine, the combination, with a hopper provided with a series of feeders, each feeder comprising an independent series of forwardlymovable pockets, of a scale-controlled receptacle for each feeder, electrically-controlled mechanism for automatically stopping the operation of each feeder by the action of its receptacle, a chute common to all of said feeders, and means for successively discharging the contents of the receptacles into the chute, substantially as described.

I11 a packing-machine, the combination, with a hopper, of a shaft journaled in front thereof, a series of pulleys mounted loosely on said shaft each provided with a clutch member, a series of clutch members non-rotatably mounted on said shaft, one for each pulley,an endless belt on each pulley provided with independent pockets, a receptacle below each belt, a chute common to all of said receptacles,and means for emptying the receptacles into the chute and automatically stopping each belt independently of the movement of the other belts after a predetermined amount of material has been deposited in its receptacle, substantially as described.

a. In a packing-machine, the combination, with a hopper, of two shafts journaled in front there0f,a series of pulleys loosely mounted on each of said shafts, a casing for each pair of pulleys on the two shafts provided with a pulley, a belt over the pulleys in each casing provided with pockets, a receptacle communicating with each casing, a chute common to all of said receptacles, and means for emptying the receptacles into the chute and automatically st upping each belt independently of the movement of the other belts after a predetermined amount of material has been deposited in its receptacle, substantially as described.

5. In a packing machine, the combination, with a hopper provided with a series of feeders, each feeder being provided with a clutch mechanism and a lever one end of which engages with the clutch for operating the same and the other end forms an armature, of a platform for each feeder, one end of which is provided with a receptacle and the other end is provided with a counterbalance and a contact-point, an electric circuit provided with an electrical magnet adjacent to said lever and having its terminals in position to be engaged by said contact-point, a chute common to all of said receptacles, and means for successively discharging the contents of the receptacles into the chute, substantially as described.

6. In a packinganachine, the combination, with a hopper provided with a series of feeders, each of said feeders comprising an endless belt, slats upon said belt, a rotary brush adjacent to said belts, a scale-controlled receptacle for each feeder, means for automatically stopping the feeder with the fall of the receptacle, a chute common to all of said receptacles, and means for successively discharging the contents of said receptacles into the chute, substantially as described.

7. In a packing-machine, the combination, with a hopper provided with a series of feeders, of a pivoted platform for each feeder and provided. with a standard, a receptacle pivotally secured at one end of the platform, a counterbalance at the other end of the platform, a catch and a lever pivotally secured to the standard, one above the other, a chute common to all of said receptacles, and means for successively engaging with the catch and the lever for releasing the receptacle and returning it to its normal position, substantially as described.

8. In a packing-machine, the combination, with a hopper provided with a series of feeders, of a pivoted platform for each feeder, a standard on said platform, a receptacle pivotally secured at one end of the platform and a counterbalance at the other, pins upon the side of the receptacle, a catch and a slotted lever pivotally secured to the standard, one end of the catch being adapted to engage with one of the pins of the receptacle and the slotted portion of the lever with the other pin, a chute common to all of said receptacles, and a shaft provided with a series of spirally-arranged arms, each arm being adapted to suecessively engage with the catch and the lever, whereby the receptacle is permitted to swing upon its pivot and to be restored to its normal position, substantially as described.

9. In a packing-machine, the combination, with a hopper, of a series of feeders communicating therewith, a receptacle for each feeder, a chute common to said receptacles, the lower end of which is cut off at an angle, and a door hinged to said inclined portion said door being provided with an extension that normally stands out from the chute and is adapted to be moved inward when a package is slipped over the end of the chute, substantially as described.

10. In apacking-machine,the combination, with a hopper provided with a series of feeders, of a scale-controlled receptacle for each feeder, a chute common to all of the receptacles, a plunger within the chute, a lever connected with said plunger, two shafts, one of which is provided with spirally-arranged arms for operating the receptacles and the other one is provided with a crank,and a pitman for connecting with the lever and operating the plunger after the operation of each receptacle, substantially as described.

11. In a packing-machine, the combination, with a hopper provided with a series of feeders, of a scale-controlled receptacle for each feeder, a chute common to all of the receptacles, a plunger in the chute, means for successively discharging the contents of the receptacles into the chute and operating the plunger after each discharge, a series of packageholders below the chute, and means for successively moving the holders into alinement with the chute and for automaticallydischarging the package therefrom after it has been filled, substantially as described.

12. In a packing-machine, the combination, with a hopper provided with a series of feeders, of a scale-controlled receptacle for each feeder, a chute common to all of the receptacles, a plunger in the chute, means for successively discharging the contents of the receptacles into the chute and operating the plunger after each discharge, a rotary table below the chute provided with package -holders, means for successively moving the holders into alinement with the chute and for automatically discharging a filled package from one holder while a package is being placed within another holder, substantially as described.

13. In a packing-machine, the combination, with a hopper, of a chute provided with a plunger, means for delivering material from the hopper to the chute in predetermined quantities, a revolving table below the chute provided with a series of vertically-movable package-holders, means for successively moving said holders into alinement with the chute and reciprocating them vertically in relation thereto, and a plunger for forcing the filled packages out of the holders, substantially as described.

14. Ina packing-machine, the combination,

a rotary table below the chute provided with a series of vertically-movable package-holders, means for intermittently moving the table so as to cause the holders to be successively moved into alinement with the chute, means for moving each holder Vertically while it is in alinement with the chute, and a plunger for forcing the filled packages out of the holders, substantially as described.

15. In a packing-machine,the combination, with a hopper, of a chute, means for delivering' material from the hopper to the chute in predetermined quantities, a rotary table below the chute provided with a series of vertically-movable package-holders, ratchet mech anism for intermittently moving each holder vertically when it is in alinement with the chute, and aplunger for forcing the filled v packages out of the holders, substantially as described.

16. In a packing-machine,the combination, with a hopper, of a chute, means for delivering material from the chute to the hopper in predetermined quantities, a rotary table below the chute, a series of vertically-movable package-holders therein, each of which is provided with a stem, a pin in the lower end of the stem, a slotted lever in position to engage with the pin when the holder is in alinement with the chute, ratchet mechanism for rotating the table, a plunger for forcing the pack ages from the holders, and two shafts, one of which is connected with the lever and the plunger and the second-mentioned shaft is provided with means for operating the firstmentioned shaft and the ratchet mechanism, substantially as described.

17. In a packing-machine,the combination, with a hopper, of a chute, means for delivering material from the hopper to the chute in predetermined quantities, a rotary table below the chute provided with a series of vertically-movable package-holders, ratchet mechanism for intermittently moving the table, a lever for moving the holders vertically when they are in alinement with the chute, a plunger for forcing the filled packages from the holders, two shafts, one of which is provided with three arms, one of the arms being connected with the lever and another one being connected with the plunger, and the other shaft being provided with two cams, one of which cams is fan-shaped and the other one is provided with two arms, a lever adjacent to each cam, areciprocatory rod, a link for connecting the lever adjacent to the two-armed cam with the ratchet mechanism, and a link for connecting the other lever with the remaining; arm of the other shaft, substantially as described.

18. In a packing-machine,the combination, with a hopper, of a chute, means for delivering material from the hopper to the chute in predetermined quantities, a rotary table below the chute-provided with a series of package-holders, one side of each holder being hinged and the opposite side being perforated, a conveyer adjacent to the table, one end of the frame of which is in position to engage with and automatically open the doors of the holders as the table is rotated, means for intermittently rotating the table, and a plungel for passing through the perforation of the holders and forcing the filled packages from the holder onto the conveyor, substantially as described.

DAVID J. \VILSON.

Witnesses:

HENRY A. lllURRAY, JNo. F. EnNsnivw. 

